As the Ramadan holiday approaches, bus companies are anticipating a rise in ticket prices due to increased demand. Travelers are being urged to book their tickets in advance to avoid higher costs.
With many residents planning to travel outside Istanbul for the holiday, interest in bus tickets has already begun to grow. Despite a relatively quiet start to the second week of Ramadan, officials expect a surge in demand in the coming days, which is likely to drive prices up.
Eren Evren, a spokesperson for a local bus company, noted that while activity remains low at terminals now, the situation will change as the holiday draws closer. “In about five days, we expect a significant rush. People will be traveling to visit family, and we are prepared to accommodate them,” Evren said.
He also highlighted the potential for fare increases, specifically on routes to destinations like Edirne, a western province. “A ticket from Istanbul to Edirne, which currently costs 450 Turkish Liras (about $12), could rise to 500-550 liras,” Evren explained. “Booking now could save you between 100-200 liras. For longer routes, passengers might face additional costs of 300-400 liras if they wait.”
The increase in bus ticket prices reflects broader trends in the travel industry, with some routes experiencing price hikes of 20-40 percent, bringing fares in line with, or even exceeding, airfare on certain dates.
Musa Çatkı, Vice President of the Turkish Bus Operators Federation, pointed out that any fare adjustments are in line with government regulations. “When demand is low, we reduce prices by 30-40 percent, and as occupancy rises, we return to our standard rates,” Çatkı explained.
